Pvt William H Forbes is the 2nd Great Grandfather of Gregory S Forbes
William H. Forbes was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, in 1821, the son of Thomas C. Forbes and Jane Johnson. The elder Forbes’ were born in Tyrone County, Ireland. They immigrated with three children just prior to William’s birth in 1821, and settled in Unity Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania by 1821.
William married Mary (or Margery, Marjory or Margaret) Elizabeth Lightcap in June 1856. The couple was living with William’s father, Thomas, in the 1860 census, and William’s occupation was listed as a farmer. A son, Samuel Sloan Forbes, was born 7 August 1864 near Forbes Trail, Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.
Muster records show that William registered for the draft in June 1863 and mustered into Company E of the 145th PA Infantry as a Private in September of that year. He transferred into Company D of the 53rd PA Infantry February 15th, 1864 and was with that unit at the time of the Battle in the Wilderness in May.
The 53rd was assigned to Brooke’s 4th Brigade, Barlow’s 1st Division, Hancock’s 2nd Corps, on the eastern flank of the Union lines. William served with the 53rd throughout the remainder of Gen Grant’s overland campaign.
The 53rd paraded in Washington, D.C. in May 1865. William mustered out of the 53rd with his Company on June 30th, 1865 near Harrisburg, PA as a Private. He returned to his family and farm. An 1867 map of Westmoreland County shows the family living near the Loyalhanna Creek between Latrobe and New Alexandria, Pennsylvania.
He died there the following year on 25 June 1868. Marjorie was still residing there as of the 1870 Census and was listed as a farmer. She passed away in 1878, and the minor children were living with an uncle in 1880. Both William and Marjory are buried in Unity Cemetery, Unity Township, Westmoreland Co, PA.